Manchester United: Adnan Januzaj to miss Stoke City clash after being named for Under-21 side?

Louis van Gaal is unlikely to turn to Adnan Januzaj for the Premier League clash with Stoke City after the winger was named in the Under-21 squad for Monday's (1 February) match with Everton. Janzuaj, 20, returned from his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund at the beginning of January, but Van Gaal has been wary of including the youngster in his plans until his fitness improves.

The Belgium international, who started just two games for Dortmund in the first half of the season, has played twice for Warren Joyce's Under-21 ranks in recent weeks. He starts once again in a behind-closed-doors Under-21 Premier League match with Everton on Monday evening. His inclusion suggests he is unlikely to be involved with the first team for the visit of Stoke 24 hours later.

Januzaj has featured for the Under-21s against their Sunderland and Southampton counterparts in January. In between those two appearances, the winger was named on the bench for United's Premier League clash with Southampton on Saturday 23 January, but was partly culpable in Saints' winner, conceding the free kick that led to Charlie Austin's winner after coming off the bench with four minutes of the match remaining.

Januzaj was also withdrawn from an Under-21 match with Reading immediately following his return to the club, such was the extent of Van Gaal's concerns over his fitness levels.

"We have reconsidered and we think we have to build him up for the game and not risk too much by putting him in a game at once," the boss told MUTV on 11 January.

Andreas Pereira was also named in the starting XI for the Under-21 clash with Everton, taking place at the Tofeees' training ground. Will Keane and Guillermo Varela also start.